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Gegard Mousasi def. Rory MacDonald at Bellator 206: Best photos

Bellator’s return to Southern California next month will be without one of its marquee title fights.

Middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi (45-6-2 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) is injured and has been forced out of his title defense at Bellator 214 against Rafael Lovato Jr. (9-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA). A Mousasi team source today revealed the injury to MMAjunkie. The news first was reported by ESPN.com.

Bellator 214 takes place Jan. 26 at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. The card airs on Paramount and streams on DAZN following prelims on MMAjunkie.

Mousasi, No. 3 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA middleweight rankings, is coming off a dominant display and first title defense of his belt against Rory MacDonald at Bellator 206 in September. “The Dreamcatcher” is on an eight-fight winning streak and has experienced just one defeat in the past four years. It is not yet known how long he’ll be on the shelf.

Lovato Jr. was set to go after his first major title. The grappling standout has earned four of his five Bellator victories by stoppage, including a submission of John Salter at Bellator 205 in September. It is not yet known of Lovato Jr. will remain on the card against a replacement opponent.